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The Supreme Court bench of Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman issued notice on today to the ace defaulter Vijaya Mallya, as Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the court that Mallya left the country soon after they moved applications on March 2 before Bengaluru based Debt Recovery Tribunal to restrain Diageo from paying him $75 million.
The notice will be issued to him personally, through his company, through his lawyers who appeared for him in the Karnataka High Court and in DRT and through the Indian High Commission in London. The notice will also be served on him on his official Rajya Sabha email ID.
Rohatgi said that the secured assets which Mallya has pledged are not even 1/15th of more than Rs.9,000 crore which he had taken for his now defunct Kingfisher Airlines. The court asked, how the banks could advance such a huge loan without matching securities.
By Premji

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced August 7 as National Handloom Day at Chennai to mark the 1905s Swadeshi movement. It was on August 7th, 1905 the formal proclamation of the Swadeshi Movement was made in a meeting at the Calcutta Town hall. The movement announced the boycotting of British products and the revival of domestic products and production processes. Around 3,000 handloom weavers from various parts of the country has attended the function at the Madras University Auditorium today.
"The observance of National Handloom Day and honoring of handloom weavers will not only provide an impetus to India's handloom industry but would also serve to promote handloom as a genuine international product of good quality," an official statement said.
Handloom weaving provides direct and indirect employment to more than 43 lakh weavers and allied workers. The sector is responsible for nearly 15% of the cloth production in the country and contributes to export earnings. Around 95% of the world's hand-woven fabric are from India.
Government is committed to extend robust social security cover to weaver families said Prime Minister. He urged the entertainment industry to popularise handloom. Fashion and design education in India needs to be re-oriented. We need to make our handloom tradition the centrepiece of fashion for India and the world said Prime Minister.
By Premji

Dipak Misra, Supreme Court (SC) judge has received an anonymous threat letter. The Justice earlier rejected Mumbai serial blasts convict, Yakub Memon’s mercy plea before he was executed on his 54th birthday.A case was registered in this regard by the Delhi Police, who begun an investigation and increased security to Justice Dipak Misra.Unanimous rejection of Yakub Memon's petitionYakub Memon's petition seeking stay over execution was unanimously rejected by a three-judge bench of Justices Dipak Misra, P C Pant and Amitava Roy earlier to his execution. This was the last effort by the 1993 Mumbai blasts convict to escape the scaffold. Yakub was found guilty of lending help to terrorists who killed 257 people through connected blasts.The SC judge bench said last Wednesday that, "Issuance of death warrants by the TADA court against Yakub on April 30 and scheduling his execution for July 30 is in order.”Last Tuesday, a two-judge bench of Justices A R Dave and Kurian Joseph, opened a door of hope by giving a split verdict on Yakub’s plea in Supreme Court. Even Yakub’s last minute request for postponement of execution for two weeks was rejected by the Supreme Court of India. According to sources Memon requested a two-week time to settle earthly affairs and make peace with God before leaving the world. Also read: India Executes Mumbai Bomb Plotter Yakub Memon-Sumana

On Wednesday, a single Pak terrorist was caught alive after an attack on BSF convoy that was travelling on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Udhampur district. The militant was identified as Mohammed Naved from Faisalabad, Pakistan. Yesterday, two BSF jawans and a militant were killed in gun battle. The one who was caught alive said that he hailed from Faisalabad and was staying in India from past 12 days.Naved who was wearing a dark blue shirt and brown trousers, was quoted as saying that, “I am from Pakistan, my partner was killed in the firing but I escaped. Had I been killed, it would have been Allah’s will. There is fun in doing this.” NIA to take over probe of Udhampur attackThe National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take over the investigation of the Udhampur terror attack. The officials are expected to reach Jammu today to investigate the terrorist who was caught alive yesterday.As per the reports, several warnings have been sent by the intelligence about a probable terror attack in Udhampur in the context of ongoing Amarnath yatra.-Sumana

The Islamic State (ISIS) has released all four Indians whom they have kidnapped on Wednesday. While Balram and Gopikrishna have been released today, two others were rescued earlier with the aid of Indian External Affairs Ministry. Balram and Gopikrishna were in custody even after Lakshmikant and Vijay Kumar were let free.Sushma Swaraj tweeted about their release as saying that: “Four Indians abducted in Libya - I am happy we have been able to secure the release of Lakshmikant and Vijay Kumar. Trying for other two.”Earlier on Wednesday, the four Indian teacher were kidnapped at a checkpoint, which is around 50 km outside the Sirte town, which is currently under the Islamic State control. The incident happened when the men were on their way back to India. Two of them belong to Hyderabad, while one was in Raichur and the other one was from Bengaluru.-Sumana

One terrorist involved in the attack on the BSF convoy in J&K's Udhampur today is caught alive by police, while hostages have been freed. Post–attack operations are being conducted by the security forces.Jitendra Singh, Minister of state in PMO, confirmed that they rescued the three hostages and caught one terrorist alive. The militant who has been caught is identified as Kasim Khan.Militants attacked BSF convoyEarlier militants attacked a BSF convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway located in Udhampur district. The fire exchange between militants and BSF forces killed two BSF jawans and one terrorist, while eight personnels were injured. A senior police officer said, "Militants fired at a BSF convoy at Narsu Nallah situated between Udhampur town and Chenani town on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway today (Wednesday).”-Sumana

A Mumbai court has issued non-bailable arrest warrant against Lalit Modi in a case of money-laundering. He will soon be arrested to face trial in India. The tainted cricket magnet, Lalit Modi lives in London. The Enforcement Directorate handles cases of money-laundering. One of the sources of Enforcement Directorate was quoted by NDTV as saying that, "We will now forward the court's orders to the Home Ministry. They could forward it then to the Home Department in the UK or to the Interpol.”It was told by the agency as there was a manipulation made by Lalit Modi in the process of assigning broadcast rights of the IPL in 2009. This happened for a bribe of more than 100 crores. BCCI former head, N Srinivasan, gave a testimony against Mr Modi.Modi refused to return to IndiaMr Modi, 49, the founder of Indian Premier League (IPL), left India in 2010 in the context of money-laundering, tax evasion besides alternative ownership embedded in the IPL. Since then, Lalit has refused to return to India, citing death warnings from the under world. Lalit Modi’s lawyers said Modi will be able to attend legal proceedings on video conference. Last year, the Delhi High Court considered this fair and restored his Indian passport. Bring Modi back to IndiaRecently, the screams to bring Modi back to India have reached a high pitch. Congress accused that Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke to UK officials for the arrangements of urgent travel papers to Modi to accompany his wife. This was backed by Chief Minister Vanduhara Raje.-Sumana

In an exchange of fire between Militants and Border Security Force (BSF) on the national highway of Jammu-Srinagar in Udhampur district, one militant and two BSF jawans were killed, while three troopers were injured. A Border Security Force convoy was attacked by Militants on Wednesday, reported district officials. Each day, road-opening parties ensure that the Jammu-Srinagar national highway is free from explosive devices, which could be placed by militants. Sniffer dogs and high-tech equipment are leveraged to clear the traffic on the highway.A senior police officer said, “Militants fired at a BSF convoy at Narsu Nallah on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway today (Wednesday).”“In the wake of today’s attack we have deployed additional forces in places overlooking the highway,” the officer added.Through the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, security force deployments and life essentials are routed to Kashmir Valley that is landlocked.-Sumana

According to media reports an Amtrak train derailed in Philadelphia, which originated from New York City to Washington, D.C. with nearly 240 passengers on board. As per initial reports about 50 passengers were wounded and 5 casualties took place. Eight to ten cars derailed completely. Emrgency rescue operation is going on.
Amtrak established an emergency number to know about the passengers of the tarin, the hotline number is 1-800-523-9101.
-Kannamsai